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Türkiye can expand solar by 120 GW through rooftops
Türkiye has a rooftop solar technical potential of at least 120 GW, which could meet 45% of the country's 2022 electricity consumption. Despite this potential, solar's share of generation lags behind northern European countries. The report highlights that expanding rooftop solar could reduce residential electricity subsidies, which totaled approximately $3.6 billion from September 2022 to August 2023, and help industries avoid EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) penalties. It recommends implementing installation obligations for new buildings and adopting virtual net metering for apartments, drawing on successful global examples from China, Poland, and the Netherlands.
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Document type: Report
Global analysis
Global power sector emissions plateaued in the first half of 2023 at 5,795 million tonnes of CO2, a slight increase of 0.2% over the previous year. While emissions fell significantly in high-income economies like the EU (-17%) and US (-8.6%), they rose in China (+7.9%) and India (+3.7%). A historic 8.5% decline in global hydro generation, largely driven by droughts in China, prevented a larger drop in emissions by forcing a reliance on fossil fuels. Wind and solar increased their global electricity share to 14.3%, though their growth rates (10% for wind and 16% for solar) remained below the IEA's net zero scenario requirements. Global electricity demand grew by only 0.4%, hampered by demand falls in the EU, Japan, the US, and South Korea.
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Document type: Report
Country and region analysis
In the first half of 2023, global power sector emissions plateaued (+0.2%) as emissions declines in the US and EU offset a 7.9% jump in China. China led global renewable growth, accounting for 67% of wind and solar increases, but severe droughts caused a 22% drop in hydropower, forcing a record high in coal generation. In the US, power sector emissions fell 8.6% due to a 27% drop in coal generation driven by coal-to-gas switching and a 3.4% decline in electricity demand. The EU also saw a 17% drop in power sector emissions resulting from falling demand and increasing renewables.
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Document type: Report
Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2023
Global power sector emissions plateaued in the first half of 2023, increasing by only 0.2%. While wind and solar generation grew and increased their share of the global power mix, a historic decline in hydropower due to droughts—particularly in China—prevented a more significant emissions drop. Low electricity demand in high-income economies further suppressed emissions growth.
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Document type: Report
Weathering the winter
The EU power system successfully navigated the 2022-2023 winter without a return to coal, as record renewable generation and significant electricity demand reductions—driven by emergency legislation, high prices, and mild weather—led to renewables providing a higher share of electricity than fossil fuels for the first time in a winter period.
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Document type: Report
Electricity Transition in 2022
In 2022, global electricity reached its lowest emissions intensity ever at 436 gCO2/kWh, with wind and solar hitting a record 12% of generation. Despite this, total power sector CO2 emissions reached a record high of 12,431 mtCO2 because wind and solar growth could not fully keep pace with a 2.5% increase in global electricity demand. This gap was filled by coal and other fossils, with coal generation rising by 108 TWh to a record 10,186 TWh. While clean electricity sources other than wind and solar saw their first year-on-year decline since 2011 due to nuclear outages and droughts, 2022 is characterized as an 'accelerator year' due to policy shifts like the EU's REPowerEU and the US Inflation Reduction Act.
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Document type: Report
Global Electricity Review 2023
In 2022, wind and solar reached a record 12% share of global electricity, driving carbon intensity to a record low of 436 gCO2/kWh. However, absolute power sector emissions reached an all-time high of 12,431 mtCO2 because clean power growth did not fully meet rising global demand, which grew by 2.5% (+694 TWh). While coal generation rose by 1.1% to a record 10,186 TWh, the report forecasts that 2023 could be the first year of structural decline in fossil generation and the peak for power sector emissions. The analysis highlights a significant gap between current growth and the IEA NZE pathway, which requires wind and solar to reach 41% of global generation by 2030.
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Document type: Report
China permits two new coal power plants per week in 2022
In 2022, China experienced a dramatic surge in coal power project activity, permitting 106 GW of new capacity—the highest level since 2015. While 50 GW started construction, representing six times the capacity of the rest of the world combined, the trend is driven by rising peak electricity loads and a rigid grid paradigm. Despite claims that new plants are for "supporting" grid stability, evidence suggests they are intended for baseload use. This expansion occurs alongside record clean energy additions, but risks undermining China's carbon neutrality goals if it leads to a moderation of clean energy buildout or increased CO2 emissions.
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Document type: Briefing
European Electricity Review 2023
In 2022, wind and solar generated a record 22% of EU electricity, overtaking fossil gas (20%). Despite this, EU power sector emissions rose by 3.9% due to a 185 TWh generation gap caused by a severe drought affecting hydro power and unexpected French nuclear outages. This gap was partially filled by a 7% increase in coal generation. However, electricity demand fell by 7.9% in Q4 2022, and coal generation declined in the final four months of the year. Ember projects a 20% plummet in EU fossil generation in 2023 as hydro and nuclear capacity recover and renewable deployment accelerates.
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Document type: Report
EU Electricity Trends
In 2022, EU electricity demand fell by 2.7% to 2809 TWh, driven by mild weather and demand reduction measures. Despite this, power sector CO2 emissions rose by 3.9% due to shortfalls in nuclear and hydro generation, which necessitated increased fossil fuel use. Wind and solar generation continued to grow, reaching a 22% market share, while nuclear generation fell to its lowest share in 40 years at 22%.
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Document type: Report
The Big Picture
In 2022, the EU experienced a temporary 7% rise in coal generation driven by shortfalls in nuclear and hydro power, rather than a structural 'return to coal'. This was offset by a record surge in solar capacity and a significant 7.9% drop in electricity demand in Q4 2022. Solar power generated 7.3% of EU electricity, avoiding approximately 249 billion in gas import costs. Looking ahead to 2023, the report forecasts a potential 20% plummet in fossil fuel generation as French nuclear capacity returns and renewable capacity continues to grow.
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Document type: Report
Energy Innovation and System Transition in India: What do models tell us?
The report examines India's energy transition, comparing three models (MARKAL, EPS, and E3ME-FTT) to project electricity demand and the optimal generation mix for deep decarbonisation by 2050. It argues that decarbonisation is compatible with economic growth, potentially creating millions of net jobs and providing environmental co-benefits like reduced air pollution and water savings. However, it highlights significant risks, including land scarcity for solar projects, the need for massive green finance, and the challenge of a just transition for coal-dependent regions.
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Document type: Report
La energía eólica y solar superan al carbón en Chile
Between October 2021 and September 2022, wind and solar energy became the primary source of electricity in Chile, accounting for 27.5% of generation and surpassing coal at 26.5%. This shift follows a period of rapid growth where wind and solar generation doubled between 2018 and 2021. Since 2016, these renewable sources have fully met the growth in electricity demand, contributing to a 6% reduction in annual CO2 emissions between 2016 and 2021 despite an 11% increase in demand. The report highlights Chile's progress toward its goals of 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emissions grid by 2050, noting the closure of 8 coal plants as part of a broader decarbonization plan.
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Document type: Report
全球电力年中洞察 2022 年上半年
In the first half of 2022, global renewable energy growth met all new electricity demand, preventing a rise in fossil fuel generation. Wind and solar energy specifically met 77% of this new demand, avoiding $40 billion in fuel costs and 230 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. However, the report notes that severe droughts in China and global heatwaves in July and August 2022 led to a resurgence in coal and gas use, meaning total electricity sector emissions for the full year 2022 could still reach record highs.
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Document type: Report
Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights
In the first half of 2022, global electricity demand rose by 3%, and this growth was entirely met by renewables, which prevented a 4% increase in fossil fuel generation. While wind and solar met 77% of this demand growth, hydro met the remainder. However, the report notes that subsequent rises in coal and gas generation in July and August, driven by droughts in China and global heatwaves, mean that total power sector CO2 emissions for 2022 may still reach a record high.
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Document type: Report
Offshore Wind: A Crucial Resource To Decarbonize The Western United States
The policy brief advocates for the development of floating offshore wind on the U.S. West Coast to meet net-zero emissions goals, noting that it can provide reliable power during peak early evening demand and reduce land-use conflicts. It highlights the economic potential for job creation and port revitalization, specifically citing the Port of Humboldt Bay. The authors call for long-term federal tax credits, port infrastructure investment, proactive transmission planning, and accelerated siting to overcome current lacks in ambition compared to the East Coast.
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Document type: Policy brief
The Energy and Climate Implications of Digital Assets
The document argues that proof-of-work digital currencies, specifically Bitcoin, cause significant environmental harm through soaring electricity demand, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and the generation of substantial electronic waste. It highlights the negative impacts on local communities, such as increased electricity prices and thermal pollution in water bodies, and notes that these operations can strain critical semiconductor supply chains. The authors propose several mitigation strategies, including stringent EPA permit reviews, the creation of a mining operation registry by the OMB, energy efficiency standards from the DOE, and transparency requirements from financial regulators like the SEC and CFTC.
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Document type: Statement
2022 年 全球电力评论
In 2021, wind and solar power reached a record 10.3% of global electricity generation, but this growth was insufficient to offset a historic surge in electricity demand. Consequently, global coal generation and power sector CO2 emissions both hit all-time highs, with coal meeting 59% of new demand. While 50 countries now derive over 10% of their power from wind and solar, the report warns that the global energy transition is significantly off track from the IEA's net-zero pathway, which requires wind and solar to grow by 20% annually through 2030.
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Document type: Report
Data Trends in global electricity
In 2021, global electricity demand grew by 5.4%, the fastest rate since 2010. While solar and wind generation continued to rise, coal generation reached an all-time high, leading to a 7% increase in power sector CO2 emissions. This resulted in the first increase in global electricity carbon intensity since 2011, moving the sector further away from the IEA's 1.5 degree pathway.
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Document type: Report
Evaluating the Macroeconomic Costs of Climate Change in Canada
The document details the technical approach for modeling the macroeconomic effects of climate change on Canada's GDP, employment, and welfare. Using the gTech model, researchers integrated 13 categories of climate impacts—ranging from agricultural productivity and forestry reductions to infrastructure damages and healthcare spending—across 14 climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and three asset growth scenarios. The methodology distinguishes between impacts modeled as productivity changes (e.g., labour and agriculture) and those modeled as direct capital expenditures (e.g., road and building repairs), with the latter scaled based on historical asset appreciation relative to GDP. The report identifies weather-related disasters as the largest determinant of overall macroeconomic impact and notes limitations regarding the deterministic nature of disaster modeling and the exclusion of migration and trade restrictions.
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Document type: Report